The Weekly Perspective
by Burke Shade, Associate Pastor
Revelation 20 gives us the period of the Great Commission (GC) which takes place most prominently after Satan is bound so that he can no longer deceive the nations during the millennium (20:1–3; obviously the GC begins when Jesus commands it and the kingdom/church grows mightily between his ascension and 70 AD, just before Satan is bound).
Now, almost 2,000 years later, we can and should ask, how is the GC faring so far? Even in our day?
For starters, we shouldn’t doubt its effectiveness or consummation, because of its preamble in Matthew 28:18: “All authority has been given me in heaven and on earth.” Jesus has all authority given to him by the Father—there is no one who can stay his hand! By faith we are encouraged in its fulfillment—it will be done!
But we can also see this not only by faith, but with our eyes in history. Isaiah 9:6—7 prophesied there would be no end to the extension of Jesus’ government, and that has happened, as there are believers and churches in every nation. Some may be only outposts, with room for complete permeation, but the nations will be discipled in the ways and love of Jesus. Work to be done, for sure!
While we have headwinds and enemies during the GC, we carry on, because Christ is ruling even amongst the enemies he is subduing through our Holy Spirit-filled work (1 Cor. 15:20–28). And he will reign until the last enemy is defeated, death itself, thrown into the Lake of Fire right after the devil himself (20:11ff)!
Finally, the actions of Jesus should encourage you as well, for Jesus releases Satan at the end of the millennium (20:7–10) to once again deceive the nations. But he is not at all worried for his church and its mission, because while they are attacked, he devours our enemies with fire and defeats them. So be of good cheer; in Jesus, you are a serpent treader carrying out the GC! (Romans 16:20).